Wireless Keypads - A New Classroom Technology Using Enhanced Multiple-Choice Questions

This article discusses the advantages of using wireless keypads in the Lecture/classroom. This new technology requires multiple-choice (MC) questions to mate with the keypad entry features of these devices. The format of the traditional MC response is constrained to five choices and only one best response is allowed. For this reason, we propose enhancements to the traditional MC question. This enhanced MC question allows as many as ten answers. The answers can vary in their degree of correctness and can be assigned partial credit. By combining wireless keypads and multiple-choice questions, we can readily perform both formative and summative assessments of student learning. Examples and classroom applications are presented.Comment: pdf file, 8 pages,

Quantitative Ultrasonic Tomographic Imaging

An ultrasonic transmission technique is described which images the velocity variation within metal parts. The arrival time of the first ultrasonic pulse to traverse the object is detected and displayed as a gray scale on a cathode ray tube while the part is being scanned horizontally and vertically. The velocity variation imaged within several cast turbine parts will be shown. The system can detect voids as small as 0.020 inch. With a more complex computer program and knowing the dimensions of the part, tomographic reconstruction of the velocity variation within parts with curved surfaces should be possible

Machine Systems for Exploration and Manipulation: A Conceptual Framework and Method of Evaluation

A conceptual approach to describing and evaluating problem-solving by robotic systems is offered. One particular problem of importance to the field of robotics, disassembly, is considered. A general description is provided of an effector system equipped with sensors that interacts with objects for purposes of disassembly and that learns as a result. The system\u27s approach is bottom up, in that it has no a priori knowledge about object categories. It does, however, have pre-existing methods and strategies for exploration and manipulation. The sensors assumed to be present are vision, proximity, tactile, position, force, and thermal. The system\u27s capabilities are described with respect to two phases: object exploration and manipulation. Exploration takes the form of executing exploratory procedures, algorithms for determining the substance, structure, and mechanical properties of objects. Manipulation involves manipulatory operators, defined by the type of motion, nature of the end-effector configuration, and precise parameterization. The relation of the hypothesized system to existing implementations is described, and a means of evaluating it is also proposed

Ferrimagnetism of dilute Ising antiferromagnets

It is shown that nearest-neighbor antiferromagnetic interactions of identical Ising spins on imbalanced bipartite lattice and imbalanced bipartite hierarchical fractal result in ferrimagnetic order instead of antiferromagnetic one. On some crystal lattices dilute Ising antiferromagnets may also become ferrimagnets due to the imbalanced nature of the magnetic percolation cluster when it coexists with the percolation cluster of vacancies. As evidenced by the existing experiments on $Fe_pZn_{1-p}F_2$, such ferrimagnetism is inherent property of bcc lattice so thermodynamics of these compounds at low $p$ can be similar to that of antiferromagnet on imbalanced hierarchical fractal.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure

Antiretroviral Treatment for HIV Elite Controllers?

In most HIV-infected persons, the natural history of untreated infection is one of sustained viremia, progressive CD4 T cell depletion with resultant morbidity and mortality. The advent of effective combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) that controls HIV replication has altered this landscape dramatically. Yet a rare population of HIV-infected persons-elite controllers (EC)-can control HIV replication such that plasma levels of virus are "undetectable" without ART. The EC phenotype is heterogeneous, with some subjects durably controlling the virus-persistent elite controllers-and some eventually losing viral control-transient elite controllers. Overall, EC tend to have robust HIV-specific T cell responses and in some cases, mainly in transient elite controllers, elevated activation and inflammation indices that diminish with ART suggesting that endogenous defenses against this persistent pathogen come at the cost of heightened activation/inflammation. A limited data set suggests that cardiovascular disease risk as well as the occur-rence of other morbid events may be greater in the overall EC population than in treated HIV infection. ART in EC decreases activation indices but does not appear to increase circulating CD4 T cell numbers nor do we know if it alters clinical outcomes. Thus, it is difficult to recommend or discourage a decision to start ART in the EC population but the authors lean toward treatment particularly in those EC whose activation indices are high and those who are progressively losing circulating CD4 T cell numbers. Biomarkers that can reliably predict loss of virologic control and immune failure are needed

The Ursinus Weekly, May 27, 1957

MSGA meeting: Soph rulers voted; Rules to be revised • 244 will occupy new women\u27s dorm next semester • Y announces plans for painting rec center floor • Phi Alpha Psi sorority holds game - picnic party • Poll forms to be turned in • Beta Sig holds dinner-dance • Girl\u27s day study elections • Padula to be given honor by Drexel at banquet May 28 • Big-little sister program • New dorm presidents • IRC have elections • MSGA banquet for old and new members May 23 • Banquet for seniors held; Dr. Helfferich gives talk • Alpha Sig Nu announces 1957-8 officers, May 24 • Dr. Armstrong to give sermon at Baccalaureate • Chi Alpha holds picnic; Plans 1st \u2757-\u2758 meeting • Edward Lis, famous artist, speaks at Schwenksville • Mr. Robert Titus will address 1957 graduates • New proctor rules for 57-58 released by MSGA • Zeta Chi to hold dinner-dance • Editorial: Service for all • Little do they know • Meal time • 23rd qualm • On education • Batmen end year: 11 wins, 7 losses • Trackmen lose to Lehigh in last meet • Softball season ends for Belles with 3 wins, 1 loss • Netmen lose to F&M and Albright in season finale • Sigma Rho beats Beta Sig, 11 to 6 • Perfect record for girls tennis team as season ends • Irwin, Gross picked for Phila. lacrosse • New books at Library • New cheerleaders for \u2757-\u2758 chosen May 22 • Bell schedule for finals • Final vesper service, June 2 • Kappa Delta Kappa names officers at dinner dance • Sigma Nu, Delta Pi partyhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1431/thumbnail.jp

An analysis of the allocation of federal budget resources as an indicator of national goals and priorities, part 1

Research and development budget allocations in space program plannin

The Academics Athletics Trade-off: Universities and Intercollegiate Athletics

This analysis focuses on several key issues in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). The intrinsic benefits of athletic programs are discussed in the first section. Trends in graduation rates and academic performance among athletes and how they correlate with the general student body are discussed in the second section. Finally, an overview of the revenues and expenses of athletic department budgets are discussed in an effort to gain a better understanding of the allocation of funds to athletics. In spite of recent growth in revenues and expenses, the athletic department budget comprises on average only 5 percent of the entire university budget at an FBS school, though spending and revenues have increased dramatically in recent years. In the grand scheme of things, American higher education faces several other, arguably more pressing, areas of reform. However, athletics is a significant and growing dimension of higher education that warrants in-depth examination